Barrier Management strategies 10/22/2015 Barrier Management strategies

Learning Objectives Understand the basics of Firestopping and why it’s required by code Understand the healthcare specific challenges and common failures / deficiencies found during an inspection Understand how to identify a qualified contractor and get the quality, compliant product you’re paying for Consistent themes…Education & Communication

What is Firestopping A specific tested & listed fire protection system made of various components used to seal openings and joints in fire- resistance rated wall and/or floor assemblies. Historically and even with some today…Firestop = the RED stuff. A product is not rated…it’s the ENTIRE SYSTEM

Why is Firestopping required by code? Why are rated barriers important… Allow safe egress from a facility Allow for defend in place where required Compartmentalizes a facility to limit exposure Decreases cross-contamination / infection rates Modern construction materials…everything burns Hospital environment…some people can’t just leave Spread of fire Readmittance rates

Why is Firestopping required by code? Current Construction Methods & Materials Textiles – Furniture, drapes, sheets, particle / mdf cores, etc Sprinkler systems Notification systems directing people to egress paths No longer just about healthcare…Reimbursements = patient satisfaction = more and more comfortable environments Everything burns Direct people to pathways that may not be “protected” Defend in place

Why is Firestopping required by code? 20 x 20 x 20 Room Experiment A single dime sized hole in a rated barrier The 8,000 sq ft room will fill with smoke in under 4 minutes So that you cannot see your hand 18 inches in front of you Source: International Firestop Council 2004 18” = stretching your hand out in front of you

Why is Firestopping required by code? IFC Video: Demonstration of Proper vs Improper Firestopping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4bw-2ME4uc Looks good DOES NOT WORK

Current Problem

Current Problem

Current Problem

Current Problem: This is What We Should See…

Firestopping in Healthcare How does it affect you… Barrier issues are consistently being cited by the Deeming Authorities (Joint Commission/ DNV / HFAP) Several of the top 10 cited items are related to the rated barriers within a healthcare facility Funding – budgets are continually being reallocated Multiple building codes & construction types all under one roof SOC / PFI – we’re chasing our tales Band-aid approach SOC – chasing our tales due to lack of communication Paying for the same work multiple times

Firestopping in Healthcare How did we get here… Design Construction / Installation Inspections Maintenance

Firestopping in Healthcare Design Designing to multiple codes – IBC / IFC / NFPA / etc Requirements have changed drastically over the years relating to rated barriers and education has lagged behind Increasingly shifting responsibility to the construction team through performance oriented documents and “reviewing” submittals Often include details to get through city review without understanding ramifications of non-compliant designs Building to one set of standards and managed by another Liability – it’s all about passing the buck right now

Firestopping in Healthcare Construction / Installation Historically there has been little education around firestopping Scope is typically left to the individual trade contractors whose core competency is something else…electric / plumb / mech The average trade contractor provides their apprentice with a caulk gun and the “red stuff.” Design details are often incomplete or even non-compliant leaving an uneducated installer to decide what to do Contractors have not been set up to succeed…no enforcement / inconsistent, incorrect drawings, etc You don’t know what you don’t know…

Firestopping in Healthcare Inspection / Enforcement “If it’s red, it’s good.” - Historically firestopping has been relatively ignored by the inspection community Massive changes in code editions and adoption rates Decreasing budgets = less manpower / less education Often generalists in code Code changes include local ammendments

Firestopping in Healthcare Maintenance Decreasing budgets = less manpower / less education Budgets are always changing within a healthcare facility Planning is part 1, but the urgent need gets the funding A healthcare facility is always being renovated Little communication within departments (facility & system) Success looks different to each of you and is often conflicting No incentive to expose how bad it might be

Firestopping in Healthcare Specific Failures Through Penetration Firestopping Fire-Resistive Joint Systems Data Cabling / Sprinkler Lines Wall Construction Life Safety Plans

Quality and Compliance SET YOURSELF UP TO SUCCEED

Quality and Compliance Qualified Contractors Company Certifications FM 4991 / UL QFCP Company specific Requires annual audits Requires ongoing CEU’s & recertification Educates companies on all aspects of Firestopping Financial investment and Firestop specific work history Manufacturer Certifications Hilti / STI / 3M / Rector Seal / Etc Specific to manufacturers products & tested systems Multiples levels from general firestop awareness to specific training FIT Trained

Quality and Compliance Design Develop a consistent specification to provide your design teams with YOUR firestopping requirements… Material Manufacturer Consistency will help with long term maintenance / education Installer Qualifications Manufacturer certified / FM 4991 / UL QFCP Documentation Tag & label Software A&E firms understand SOC / PFI, but there is often a breakdown in the connection between new construction and maintenance

Quality and Compliance New Construction Pre-approve contractors who install firestopping on new construction Educate yourself to know what to look for Establish the importance of the rated barriers as a regular agenda item during construction Tag & Label / Documentation

Quality and Compliance Inspection / Enforcement Get to know your local code officials and let them know this matters to you IBC 1705.16 (2012) requires 3rd Party Special Inspections for firestopping High rise construction Risk category 3 & 4 (I-2 / I-3 classifications) As discussed earlier, some city inspectors don’t know what to look for

Quality and Compliance Maintenance Train your staff on basic installations Train your staff on how to identify non-compliant firestopping Communicate internally Know what you’re buying with your SOC inspections Above ceiling permitting / tracking – COMMUNICATION Engage experts when it’s simply too much to handle Permitting – has anyone ever surveyed the old conditions outside of SOC? Are contractors incentivized to not share what they see

Quality and Compliance Randomly field check a hand full of installations that system requirements are being met Follow each system sheet from top to bottom. Takes 1-2 minutes The average trade contractor does not use mineral wool where required Ratings Quick Reference Can often tell application, single or multiple thru pens, point of contact or annular space Substrate(s) Assembly Penetrating Item(s) Material Installation Specifics ● Not Shown: Acceptable Installation Methods

Quality and Compliance

Quality and Compliance Randomly field check a hand full of installations that system requirements are being met Follow each system sheet from top to bottom. Takes 1-2 minutes The average trade contractor does not use mineral wool where required Ratings Quick Reference Can often tell application, single or multiple thru pens, point of contact or annular space Floor Assembly Wall Assembly Material Installation Specifics ● Not Shown: Acceptable Installation Methods

10 Common Failures Wrong system selection (or no selection at all)

10 Common Failures Maximum annular space exceeded (system expected to fail)

10 Common Failures Depth of sealant (systems are tested with MINIMUM amounts)

10 Common Failures Improper installation methods (#1 not tooled)

10 Common Failures Installed as point of contact (must meet annular space requirements)

10 Common Failures Not free of dust / foreign material (adhesion failure)

10 Common Failures Mineral wool has not been used

10 Common Failures Incorrect material used for installation

10 Common Failures Installation outside of system parameters (Engineering Judgment)

10 Common Failures Installation of drywall tape or other sealants

Summary Education is key Communication Hospital Staff / Contractors / Designers / Inspectors Follow the tested system details Know what to look for Communication Create incentives for communication within the hospital & with contractors Set yourself up to succeed Tag & label firestopping Document your progress Make it manageable

QUESTIONS

This is What We See…